I will admit that for the vast majority of my time fishing from kayaks I have concentrated all of my efforts near the shoreline. Sky high temperatures in Central Texas and a lack of bites where I normally fish have pushed me away from the bank and in search of underwater structure.
Two things that you will need to make this transition are a marker buoy and either an contour lake map or an app such as navionics for your fish finder or mobile device. I am running navionics on my iPad in conjunction with my vexilar sonarphone fishfinder. With the iPad GPS and the navionics app I know exactly where I am at and where I am in relation to the underwater structure that I am wanting to fish. Couple that with the marker buoy serving as a casting target and you have a perfect combination for fishing structure.
By no means did I invent this method. Pro Bass Fisherman have been using it for years, but I have rarely seen kayak anglers employing this method out on the water or in videos. It was something that I was reluctant to try, but after success on my first outing trying this method, I will be sure to use it a lot more. Check out the video to see how it works.
Ever since hooking into a hybrid striped bass on Lake Decker this spring I have been patiently researching and studying the Striped Bass and the lakes that are fortunate enough to be stocked with these amazing game fish in the Central Texas area. Luckily, there is a Striped Bass paradise not all too far from me; Lake Buchanan.
Lake Buchanan is a very large lake located just west of Burnett in the Texas Hill Country. Stocking of Striped Bass in Lake Buchanan are extremely successful and with the help of TPWD and private organizations, the Striped Bass population has survived the droughts and recent flooding. I initially knew nothing about how to target Striped Bass. I began searching YouTube and the Internet to figure out some tactics. Oddly enough, Barry Stokes, host of Fox Sports Outdoors Southwest has done a show on Lake Buchanan and had some really great tips on how to target Buchanan's stripers.
Not having any of the requisite tackle, I started to search my local shops. Not many stores carry striper specific lures where I live, but, luckily there is some crossover with traditional black bass tackle that will work. I decided to go with 5" and 4" flutter spoons, a heavy jig with a soft plastic swim bait trailer, a bucktail jig and a traditional deep diving crankbait in natural shad colors.
By far the most successful method I learned is referred to as the smoke method. You cast the flutter spoon out, let it sink to the bottom and begin a steady retrieve of about 6-10 cranks. Disengage the clutch, let the spoon fall back to the bottom and repeat until you are no longer retrieving the spoon horizontally.
The striped bass is an amazing fighter regardless of the size. This species is a true challenge to any angler. I logged 50 plus miles on my three outings to Lake Buchanan and on my last trip I finally caught one. My best piece of advice is to do your research on a contour map. Pick several humps throughout the lake and either confirm or deny activity on your fish finder or by feeding on the surface. If it doesn't have activity, move to another spot. Resist the urge to fish an area just because it looks good on the map. Don't pickup a rod until you are in the right spot.
Well, it has been a while since I have been able to blog. With a new baby, my recreation time has been cut down some. The better half decided to visit family and it was way too expensive for both of us to fly, so a fishing weekend was planned. I have always wanted to visit Lake Victor Braunig that lies just to the southeast of San Antonio. This is one of two lakes that were created in the area to cool the power plants on their respective shorelines. The water in the lake stays warm year round and on this fishing day, the surface temperatures were around 91-95 degrees. This opens up the opportunity for Redfish to reside here. Even though they cannot reproduce in the lake, they are able to thrive all year long due to the higher temperatures.
After doing some research and soliciting some advice from locals, I decided that I would try to troll the rocky dam area. After selecting some lures the night before I was all ready to go. After the 2 1/2 hour drive I unload the yak and stepped into the water. I was amazed at how warm it was, almost like your first dip into a hot bath. I trolled around for about 2 hours without a bite. I changed lures a few times and I began to target just above and below the thermocline. My fish finder was showing the thermocline just below 15 feet of water. After another hour I still did not have a redfish to show.
I decided to switch up tactics at this point. I moved over to the eastern side of rock jetty that is in the center of the lake. It is a gradual drop off in this area and I figured that reds may be lurking around the deeper edge of the drop off and ambushing bait in the shallows. I was correct about the bait, there was surface activity all around and I knew I was in a good place. I began casting two different jigs with soft plastics. I was sitting in 8-10 feet of water and casting into the drop off. While I still was not able to hook into a freshwater redfish, I was rewarded with two nice sized catfish.
Lake Braunig is an exciting new lake for me and I intend to visit again. The thought of a bull redfish has not left my mind since the trip and I cannot wait to go back. Until next time enjoy some battles with a few catfish who wanted to play.
For about the past two years I have been fishing out of one of the heaviest fishing kayaks on the market, the Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 13. As nice as the Native Slayer Propel is, the weight was starting to take its toll on me. Pedaling was also nice, but I truly started to miss the rhythmic zen that only an efficient paddling stroke can provide.
Flash back to two years ago when I was looking for a new kayak, I came across the Hurricane Skimmer 128. A lightweight piece of beauty laid before my eyes in a breathtaking lime green over white color. This was my first experience with a thermoformed kayak and I could not believe how light it was. I thought to myself that a cart just became obsolete because I could throw this thing over my shoulder and walk to the water.
When I finally got the boat into the water, the honeymoon began to wear off a little. At 28" wide and 12'9" long, the Skimmer 128 was coming up a bit short on width and length for me. Even with the shorter length and width I still thought that the Skimmer 128 was a rocket ship compared to most of the kayaks I had paddled previously. At that time the Skimmer 140 was not available for sale and I just couldn't wait, so I looked elsewhere and purchased the Slayer Propel 13.
The thought of paddling the Skimmer 140 never left my mind and after applying for a Pro Staff position with Hurricane Kayaks, I was gratefully rewarded with the opportunity to represent a fine American company and the opportunity to fish from a Skimmer 140. My first two outings in the Skimmer 140 have been very successful and I look forward to building more memories with this fine kayak. Here is my review of the Skimmer 140:
Speed/Tracking: A+, this is the focal point of the Skimmer 140. The lightweight savings of the thermoforming process clearly set this kayak apart from its competitors. I was amazed at how responsive the Skimmer 140 was and how quickly it accelerated to it's hull speed from a dead stop. While I have not installed a GPS yet to give you an accurate speed measurement, I can tell you that I was moving from spot to spot faster than my old Slayer Propel 13. The Skimmer 140 also tracks extremely well. A pronounced sharp bow and a defined keel line keep this kayak straight even in a crosswind. While I do have the installed rudder, I haven't used it yet, that says a lot about the hull design of this boat. The winds have been relatively tame during my outings, so maybe when the winds get above 10 mph I may need to exercise the rudder.
Comfort: With anything in life, there is usually a trade off somewhere. With the Skimmer series, there is definitely a trade off between weight and some other nice to haves like a frame seat. To keep the weight down, the Skimmer has a built in back support and a padded seat that is flush on the deck. While not as comfortable as the other frame lawn chair style seats on the market, the combination of the padded seat and the adjustable back support meet my needs of comfort for an all day fishing trip. The cockpit on the Skimmer 140 has plenty of leg room and lends itself nicely to kicking your legs over the side to stretch out every once in a while.
Stability: At 29" wide, the Skimmer 140 is not going to feel like a Jackson Big Rig. I will admit that at first the boat did feel a little "tippy" to me. I attribute that to the "muscle memory" from my previous kayak and after around 3 hours in the Skimmer 140 that feeling completely went away. There is a fine line between the initial and secondary stability of the Skimmer, but once my body learned the boundaries I had no problems turning around for rods or sitting side saddle. About halfway through my first fishing trip a bass boat buzzed by me and threw a significant wake. As I braced myself for the impacts I was surprised at how well the Skimmer lifted and settled as the rollers went by. I hope to challenge this boat in the surf and offshore someday.
"Fishability": The base model Skimmer is pretty much a blank slate for the Kayak Rigging enthusiast. Flat surfaces are everywhere on the kayak allowing for easy mounting solutions for rod holders, rails and anything else you can imagine. There is an angler package complemented by three rails in the cockpit and two in the tank well as well as an anchor trolley and a rudder option. With a few Scotty rod holders, track adapter and a few other items, you are all set.
Last summer I decided to buy a nice pair of water shoes. With a Columbia outlet not to far from my house, I invested in a pair of Drainmaker IIs. After fishing with my new water shoes for half a season I started to dislike wearing them with just my bare feet. The feeling of my wet bare skin combined with the accumulation of the dirt, rocks and grime that added up inside the shoes drove me crazy. I looked for a pair of socks that would help to solve my issue as well as provide additional sun protection for my ankles.
As I did some research I stumbled across diving socks. I decided to give a pair a try, but unfortunately they only solved one of the problems I was having. A little discouraged, I continued to use the diving socks and just dealt with my feet being constantly soaked and my skin all "prunny" after a day on the water.
Then one day I was told about Farm to Feet, a 100% American made sock that was designed for outdoor enthusiasts and perfect for kayak fishing. After receiving two pairs for testing, I eagerly waited for the weather to clear. Luckily I had a monday off work and the weather turned out to be perfect, so off I went armed with my Drainmakers and my new Farm to Feet 1/4 crew socks. The first thing I noticed about these socks when I began to remove them from their packaging was how light weight they were. As I slid them onto my feet I was greeted by a cooling sensation and a feeling of comfort. The socks are so lightweight that I felt like I was still barefoot.
After arriving to the boat ramp and getting my kayak set up, I stepped into the water for the first time armed with my new socks. Even wet, these socks still felt extremely comfortable. Very quickly after entering the water I realized that my feet were already starting to dry and that wet sensation that I constantly had with my diving socks was no longer there. Several times during my outing I dunked my feet into the water to cool off a bit from the muggy Texas conditions that day. Each time I submersed my feet I was extremely surprised how fast my feet were drying out . The combination of the Farm to Feet socks and my Columbia Drainmakers are a Kayak Fisherman's dream.
While I have only made two trips with these socks I can tell you that they have quickly made a difference in my comfort on a long day of fishing. They are 100% made in America by American Workers and come in at a very reasonable price. In a world full of non-American products overtaking the shelves, its good to see a Company proud to be American made. Check them out at: http://farmtofeet.com
For those of you truck owners looking for a way to transport your kayak, there may be no simpler way to do it than with a bed extender. The handy bed extender has been my method of transportation for the last three years. As with anything in life, there are pros and cons.
Pros: Cheap, Little to no modification to your vehicle as long as you have a trailer hitch already installed, ease of loading/unloading.
Cons: Additional Risk of someone rear ending you
Let’s talk about how to transport your kayak safely when using one. First things first - get a long-load safety flag of some kind. This does not have to be anything fancy. Jackson Kayak gives you one when you purchase one of their boats, and I still use mine. I tie mine off to the front handle of my Native Watercraft “Slayer Propel 13” to give people behind me a little more warning. [Note: In most states, a warning flag is required when any object extends a certain distance past the rear of your vehicle, and/or at a certain angle. Make sure to check and comply with state laws where you travel. IR]
Next, put some reflective tape on your bed extender. I am routinely on the road well before sunrise, and as with the long load flag I am trying to get others’ attention as much as possible.
Get some quality straps and use at least three for securing your boat. My setup is simple when I cinch down my boat: One strap on the front handle, putting pressure towards the front of my vehicle; another strap on the rear handle applying pressure to the rear; and one more strap across the middle. I say use three, because if one fails the other two will be able to handle the load and keep the boat from moving back and forth, or - God forbid- being launched onto the pavement.
Here is my step-by-step guide how I use my bed extender to load my kayak: Line your boat up centered with the middle of the bed extender. You can load bow or stern first. I load stern first due to the exposed rudder of the Slayer Propel 13.
Undo your strap on your cart (if you use one) and lift the kayak onto the bed extender. Do not try to get the boat fully into the bed at this point.
(Tip: I use an old cardboard box under the bow of my boat when I do this step. This lessens the wear and tear on the boat when you slide it on rough pavement or gravel.) Go to the opposite end of the boat. Using the bed extender as a pivot point, lift with your legs and push the boat fully into the bed.
Now that the boat is fully in the truck bed, begin strapping your kayak down using the three straps as mentioned above. Here are pics of how I strap my kayak down.
I hope this helps anyone looking to use a bed extender. This is a cheap and effective way to transport your kayak if you already own a truck.
At the recent most Austin Canoe and Kayak (ACK) demo days in Austin, TX I was able to test paddle the prototype Wilderness Systems ATAK. I had only seen the pictures and videos on the Internet prior to that day and this was my first real look at Wilderness Systems newest boat. At first glance, I thought it resembled the Feel Free Lure 13.5 quite a bit. As with any review I do on a boat, I look at four categories; speed/tracking, stability, comfort and "fishability."
Speed/Tracking: It was a completely calm and flat day on the reservoir where the demo days were at, so my experience should be taken with a grain of salt. At just over 14 feet in length and 34 inches wide, the ATAK paddles fairly well. For comparison sake, I would say that it feels much like a Ride 135, but has a little more top speed and I would feel comfortable paddling it 5+ miles. As for tracking, no issues there, but again it was a calm day with no current or crosswind to assess it in. Due to the ultra low profile on the water, I have a feeling that the wind will not affect the ATAK as much as other yaks.
Stability: Top notch, stood up in it on the first try and it was so stable that I even began working a top water lure with no issues. The cockpit is completely wide open and enables you to keep your feet fairly wide apart giving you a good solid base. In the high seat position, I felt no difference in stability due to the higher center of gravity and in the low position you feel like you are on a pontoon boat.
Comfort: The new Wilderness Systems frame seat is now my second favorite behind the Feel Free Gravity Seat. It took Wilderness a while to come up with a frame seat, but the wait was worth it! Low and high positions are easily changed on the water and the seat is mounted on tracks which gives you the ability to trim it fore and aft. Again, the cockpit is wide open, a feature I really like because it gives you the ability to stretch out and move around some.
"Fishability": From bow to stern, this boat is built for fishing. A Large bow hatch is present with a large cover, perfect for breaking down your cart or storing a large fish bag. The sonar pod has been carried over to the ATAK as with other Wilderness Systems boats and can fit the largest of transducers. Gear Tracks are present on left and right sides and run almost all the way from your feet to your seating position, giving you ample space to mount any of your favorite rail adapters. Just behind the seat is an area where only a crate would be able to fit. This is not the norm in fishing kayaks today, but that is because the ATAK has a hinged cover at the rear most of the boat for storing your rods during transport. The cover appears to be the exact same as the center console cover on the Thresher series of kayaks. Some will love this feature and other will hate it. I am not opposed to it, but at this time, I think I would of rather had the extra space.
Wilderness Systems has once again launched a feature packed boat for a certain niche of the kayak fishing community. The ATAK is going to be a flats and bass fisherman's dream.
